TESTS on a discarded tin of lighter fluid could provide vital clues in the police search for the killer of 11-year-old arson victim Dean Pike.

The yellow 100ml tin of Swan Extra Refined fluid may have been used to start the blaze that took hold in a house in Hendon, Sunderland, early last Friday.

It was found, empty, in a nearby garden, shortly after the fire.

Dean was found dead at the top of stairs in the house in Mordey Close, while his mother, heavily pregnant Janine Dodd, was left critically injured after jumping from an upstairs window to escape the flames.

Ms Dodd, 29, is recovering in Newcastle General Hospital and it is understood she has now been told of her son's death.

Her unborn child is said to have survived the trauma, with the birth still expected in August.

The detective leading the inquiry into Dean's death said a man handed the empty tin to police after finding it in his back garden.

It has been sent for analysis at the Forensic Science Service in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, but results are not expected for several weeks.

Meanwhile, detectives are keen to trace where the recovered tin was bought.

Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin said yesterday: "We would appeal for information from anyone who stocks this type of lighter fluid in the Sunderland area, or anyone who has been approached to supply it in the past few weeks.

"Tests are being carried out on the recovered tin and we will just have to wait for the results, but we hope we can link it to the scene.

"We can't say if fluid was squirted through the letter box or just over the door to start the fire."

The tin carried a batch number 5A20, relating to the date of manufacture, January 20.

Det Supt Franklin said that after an initial poor response, calls were starting to come in to the murder incident room, including some from youngsters at Dean's school, Southmoor Secondary, in Sunderland.

Two of Ms Dodds' former boyfriends have now come forward and have been eliminated from inquiries, but other ex-partners are yet to be traced.

The incident room can be contacted on 0191-454 7555, extension 66718, or Crimestoppers, on (0800) 555111.